Fall 2023 Issue 12
INSIDE: A Special Opportunity for ND Alumnae Notre Dame School’s 2022–2023 ANNUAL REPORT starting on page 27
OUR MISSION
Fall 2023
CONTENTS 1 A Message from the President 2 A Message from the Principal 3 News Around School 8 Alumnae Challenge Grant 14 Chez Nous Benefit 16 Alumnae Reunion 18 2023 Graduation 20 Scholarship Stories 24 Why I Give: Josephine Martinez 26 College Matriculation 27 2022–23 Annual Report 39 Ways to Give 40 Class Notes 43 Alumna Spotlight: Rachel Cardero ’05 45 Alumna Spotlight: Aaliyah Duncan ’19 47 In Memoriam 48 Back Story: Jim Hillman
Notre Dame School of Manhattan Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU President Karina Vargas Principal Colleen McGrath Assistant Principal Elizabeth Bixenman Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Jacqueline Governale Director of Admissions Jaclyn Brilliant Communications and Outreach Coordinator Please send submissions for Encore Chez Nous to: Notre Dame School Attn: Jaclyn Brilliant 327 West 13th St. New York, NY 10014
Notre Dame School of Manhattan offers a Catholic education for young women in the tradition of Anne de Xainctonge. Inspired by this 17th century pioneer in women’s education, Notre Dame promotes academic excellence for girls, an awareness of God in their lives, and engagement in the world around them. At Notre Dame in the 21st century, the school’s small, nurturing environment encourages each student to be open to personal and intellectual growth. The rich, cultural, racial, and ethnic mosaic of Notre Dame’s community and its urban location enhance global awareness. A challenging curriculum prepares talented young women for college and for lives of leadership and service.
Annual Fund Overview and Highlights September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 All gifts to the Annual Fund go directly toward the education of our promising Notre Dame students. The Annual Fund helps bridge the $5,000 gap between the cost of educating each student, and the tuition paid. The Annual Fund also gives each student access to scholarship and financial assistance packages and helps maintain our fine facilities. It allows us to enhance the curriculum, to provide the latest technology, and to offer professional development for our teachers. Here are some highlights from the past year:
$2.07 million contributed by you, our alumnae, parents, grandparents, Board of Trustees, and friends
alumnae, parents, grandparents, Board of Trustees, and friends raised over
$625,000 111 new donors joined our Chez Nous community
at the 66th Annual Chez Nous Benefit, which was held in person!
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alumnae contributed over
alumnae donated over
$217,000
in support of the Alumnae Sisters Program
8 friends of Notre Dame donated over
$80,000 in support of the Notre Dame Partners Program
$90,000
23 foundations contributed over
$779,000
Breakdown of Income & Expenses 2022–2023 Advancement
11%
Expenses not Covered
14%
brilliantj@cheznous.org 212-620-5575 ext. 313 Photography Zoran Prodanovic Stomping Ground Photo Juliana Thomas Design The Blank Page New York, NY
457
Tuition Payments (Net)
86%
TUITION as a percentage of total Expenses
Operations
12%
EXPENSES Educational Instruction
General Administration
52%
25%
ON THE COVERS
Front: Tiffany Tong ’26; Back: Madeleine Alderson ’25 and Fiona Codd ’25
We are grateful to you, our generous donors, who supported the mission of Notre Dame. Each one of you, regardless of the size of your gift, played a real and meaningful role in the education of our students.
A Message from the President
Fall 2023 Dear Notre Dame, At Notre Dame, we often say that students will form friendships that last a lifetime. When you glance at the Class Notes section of this magazine, you will read that alumnae have indeed formed such friendships. ND friendships broaden our global perspectives, make us stronger, and offer emotional support. They help us grow in self-acceptance, as well as encourage a deeper appreciation for one another’s diverse backgrounds.
“Each alumna’s gift has the potential to have a double impact this school year.”
Friendship is one of Anne de Xainctonge’s values at Notre Dame, and our theme for the 23–24 school year. Anne began her mission of education in 1606 in Dole, France, with her two close friends, Isabeau Brocard and Claudine de Boisset. Together, Anne and her friends overcame obstacles based on gender, social class, and religious beliefs in order to found their first schools in the tradition of the Jesuits’ Ignatian spirituality. Four centuries later, in the same Ignatian tradition, we teach our students to meet similar challenges by creating a community where everyone feels they belong. Being present and attentive to each other and working to create a more just and peaceful world are essential aspects of our mission. Funding our school so that it continues to thrive in academics, music and the arts, as well as athletics, is always a challenge. This year, the Heckscher Foundation for Children has given us a wonderful opportunity, specifically for alumnae. The Foundation has challenged Notre Dame’s alumnae to increase their collective giving by $100,000 from September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024 when compared to the prior fiscal year. When our alumnae succeed, the Foundation will give our school an additional $100,000! 2022–2023 Alumnae Giving
2023–2024 Alumnae Giving Goal
$217,705
$318,000
If we reach our goal of raising $318,000 through alumnae giving between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024, the Heckscher Foundation for Children will donate $100,000 to Notre Dame! We need Notre Dame alumnae to come together and collectively donate $318,000 or more during our 2023–2024 school year. Each alumna’s gift has the potential to have a double impact this school year, as long as we meet the requirements of the challenge. The students and I count on you, our Chez Nous sisters, for support. Warm regards, Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. President
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A Message from the Principal
Fall 2023 Dear Chez Nous Family, As always, it is with great joy that I welcome the new school year. September lifts our spirits with new beginnings, hopes, and dreams. It gives me great pride to see how new aspirations and inspirations are shared and fulfilled, thanks to the encouragement, support, and love of our Chez Nous family.
“When you choose Notre Dame, it is a bond that lasts for a lifetime.”
This year, our school theme is friendship, which is one of Anne de Xainctonge’s values. We began the school year with our Anne’s Leaders facilitating an orientation activity of making friendship bracelets and getting to know one another. Our leaders are excited to work with their Chez Nous sisters throughout the school in their small groups and attend school events that promote friendly collaboration. The purpose of these activities is to build a sense of belonging among students, which is forged through friendship. They say, “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” Thank you for choosing us as your family. When you choose Notre Dame, it is a bond that lasts for a lifetime. What makes Notre Dame School special is the genuine care the teachers have for the students, the love and support the students have for one another, and the angels behind the scenes, who through their financial support provide the students the opportunity of a well-rounded education in a nurturing environment. Thanks to your support, our students, faculty, and staff enter their second home happily and ready to take on the world because they have you by their sides. Our community is forever grateful for your generosity and friendship. Thank you for being a friend! Sincerely,
Karina Vargas Principal
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N E W S
A R O U N D
S C H O O L
ND’s Spring Trip
Windmills, Roman Ruins, the Rhine, and the Alps
During the 2023 Easter Break, 54 student travelers and four faculty chaperones embarked on a trip that began with a bike tour of Amsterdam, and then continued to the Cathedral of Trier in Germany and the ancient Roman gate of Porta Nigra. A boat cruise along the Rhine and then onto Heidelberg brought our voyagers to the midpoint of their journey. The trip continued with travel across the French border to the charming town of Colmar and concluded at the lovely Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Trip Coordinator
and ND Science Department Chair Ioana Donose facilitated this ND partnership with ACIS, the educational travel company. She was joined by ND’s Principal, Karina Vargas, Athletic Director, Maria Vulcano, and Counselor and Diversity Coordinator, Dashea Hickson, on this multifaceted adventure. Students loved the many museums, the city biking, and the new foods they got to enjoy along the way. Next up, a service trip to Costa Rica and a journey along the Adriatic in the spring of 2024!
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N E W S
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2022–2023 Sports Round Up C R O S S CO U N T R Y and T R AC K
Notre Dame’s Varsity Cross Country team placed 3rd in CHSAA Championship, and our Sophomore runners placed 1st in their age group. The Winter Track Team broke many school records and recorded top 10 performances in every event in the team’s final meet of the season, with stand out times and new records by Liv Samuelsen ’26, Harper Small ’25, and Ruby Pectimaldjian ’25. The Spring Track Team set a new school record of 54.43 in the 4x100, and the all-sophomore 4×400 squad ran a new school record of 4:14.72 at the prestigious Penn Relays. At the NY CHSAA Sectional & City Championships,
Maggie McCabe ’25 ran the 800m race with a record time for ND and the team won in the 4x400m relay! In the NY CHSAA Intersectional Championships (statewide Catholic schools), which serves as a qualifier for the NY Federation Championships, Maggie McCabe ’25 Dolores Maxwell ’25, Alivia Rokeach ’25 & Madeleine Alderson ’25 won the Division 2 State championship in the 4x800m relay and qualified to run in the NY Federation Championship, where they ran a school record time. Maggie and Gabriella Giancaspro ’25 both qualified to run in the NY Federation Championship in individual events as well.
VOLLEYBALL
ND’s JV Volleyball had a record of 11-1, finishing 1st place in regular season play during the Fall 2022 Season. The team won 2nd place out of 18 teams in the CHSAA championships. Varsity Volleyball also had a strong season and is already on a winning streak this fall. 4
S O CC E R
BASKETBALL
Notre Dame’s Varsity Soccer was undefeated in regular season play, with a record of 13-0. They won 1st place at the CHSAA (Catholic High Schools Athletics Association) League Championships for 2022. The team has moved up from Tier 2 to Tier 1 for the Fall 2023 Season.
Notre Dame’s 2022–2023 Varsity Basketball finished 15-5, and placed second in the CHSAA Conference League. Maggie McCabe ’25 and Kaitlyn McKiernan ’25 were the Second Place CHSAA Tier 3 Basketball Championships All League Award winners. Notre Dame’s 2022–2023 Junior Varsity Basketball finished 9 and 0, and placed first in the League. The Junior Varsity Basketball Team was undefeated this season, dominating most of its competition. The team has joined the newly formed JV Tier 3 for the 2023–2024 season to play more competitive teams.
SOFTBALL Notre Dame’s Varsity Softball team moved up from CHSAA Tier 3 to Tier 2 for the 2023 Spring Season. They went 7-3 and placed 2nd in the CHSAA Conference League, with very competitive games throughout the season. The team went on to win 1st place in 2023 CHSAA League Championship, beating the undefeated 1st place team in the finals.
! s n o g Go Dra
As you can tell, Notre Dame’s sports teams are thriving! If you would like to show your school spirit with some sports-themed gear, just head to squadlocker.com, click on the “Find Your Store” tab, and type in “Notre Dame School” for the latest fan styles for purchase!
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S C H O O L
The Wiz Highlights the Importance of Home
Under the direction of Music and Art Chair Nicole Wakabayashi and guest artist Tyler Miclean, ND Drama brought the dynamic musical The Wiz to our Dolan Center stage from April 20th–22nd. Alais SpringerElkerson ’23 starred as Dorothy, along with Ari’ana Davis ’26 as the Tinman, Alexandria Edwards ’23 as the Lion, and Karina Mirenda ’23 as the Scarecrow. The entire cast of 20 students, and a backstage crew nearly as large, worked tirelessly for months to bring the production to the highest level of polished performance. Reflected director Tyler Miclean about the relevance of this play, “The Wiz is about home, how it is broken, and how we innately know that we cannot do without it. It makes The Wiz a timely piece, because our sense of belonging—to a people, to a planet, to ourselves—is being viscerally deconstructed and shook out in this present moment. The home needs help.” Certainly, at our school, that values the sense of home and belonging and is working every day to ensure these priorities for all our students, The Wiz hit home, Chez Nous!
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N E W S
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S C H O O L
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A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR
Chez Nous! The Heckscher Foundation funds a Matching Challenge for Notre Dame Alumnae! Notre Dame School has been fortunate to have a long relationship with the Heckscher Foundation for Children, whose primary mission is to level the playing field for underserved youth. The Heckscher Foundation for Children has been around for over a century, and it’s a name everyone knows, especially in the New York City education world, where the foundation has supported important initiatives in literacy, tutoring, college completion, and post-pandemic learning loss recovery in mathematics. ND’s Grant Writer, Penny Grote, reports that the Heckscher Foundation “funded a tuition assistance program for us years ago when we were on St. Mark’s Place. Between 1995 and 2004, The Heckscher Foundation for Children gave us five grants between $10,000 and $20,000 toward the Learning Resource Center on St. Mark’s Place and for scholarships.” Today, Notre Dame offers tuition assistance in the form of scholarships and financial aid to over 60% of our current students.
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The Heckscher Foundation for Children has pledged a
$100,000 matching grant to Notre Dame School, and
only our alumnae can help! To receive this matching gift, ND alumnae need to collectively give $100,000 more this fiscal year (9/1/23–8/31/24) than during the prior year.
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rganizations have to be invited to apply for these prestigious Heckscher grants, and Notre Dame was grateful to be reconnected to the foundation by the Carson Family Charitable Trust. The Carson Family Trust has long been a loyal supporter of our school and is the source of funding for the Partnership Schools, from which we recruit many wonderful students. Peter Sloane is the Chairman and CEO of the Heckscher Foundation for Children. He had a wonderful visit to our school in the fall of 2021, and he spoke personally to members of the Class of ’22, who made a great impression on him. Last year Notre Dame received Heckscher funding for a Challenge Grant for our Board of Trustees, meant to inspire catalytic giving that will prompt change and continued institutional growth. The Heckscher Foundation matched giving by our Trustees above historical giving from this group for a total of $200,000. We are so grateful to the Heckscher Foundation for their generosity and to our Board of Trustees for rising to the challenge.
Now it’s our alumnae’s turn to meet their own giving challenge! Backed by this powerful Heckscher Foundation for Children matching grant, Notre Dame challenges its alumnae to raise their Annual Fund giving collectively by $100,000. Matching grants are gifts that require
High alumnae participation is an important factor that foundations and corporations use when deciding to support in ND the applicant to raise funds themselves in order to receive the grant award. To receive these matching funds from the Heckscher Foundation for Children, Notre Dame must increase new giving above the usual amount for alumnae and those new gifts must be received between
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, please reach out to the school’s Director of Development, Elizabeth Bixenman at bixenmane@cheznous.org or our Major Gifts Officer, Samantha Keefe at keefes@cheznous.org. Forevermore, Chez Nous!
September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024. Our development team is working hard to encourage new alumnae givers or gifts above last year’s contributions. We hope our alumnae Encore Chez Nous readers will do their part! The future of Notre Dame School depends on the strength of our alumnae community. Currently, Development Director Elizabeth Bixenman reports that our school has good contact information for about 2,500 of our alumnae, who are solicited for the Annual Fund every year. Only 8% (about 200) of our alumnae contribute to the school. We are seeking a 100% alumnae giving rate, which would present an important endorsement of ND and has a greater impact than the dollar amount alone. Every gift, large or small, matters! High alumnae participation is an important factor that foundations and corporations use when deciding to support ND, helping to maintain the success and reputation of our school. Please give generously so we can take full advantage of this matching Challenge Grant. For more information about the Heckscher Foundation for Children matching grant, or to make a gift, please scan this QR Code. 9
Forever Friends and Family Maria Basso and Laura Lipani from the Class of ’94 formed a tight friendship and then a family bond that has stood the test of time. Roisin Clarke and Tara Crimmins Ambrose from the Class of ’94 also met during their very first days Chez Nous, and now both serve our current students well as teachers at their alma mater. We hope these two stories of lasting friendships,
Laura Lipani Hines ’94 and Maria Basso-Lipani ’94
among countless others we know live on in the Notre Dame alumnae community, will inspire you to reflect on your own deep relationships and networks among the alumnae community. Our alumnae are the lifeblood of our school. Please consider making your first gift or an increased donation to the school this year so we can rise to the Heckscher Foundation Challenge and so we can continue to inspire friendships that last a lifetime. Every gift, no matter the size, and every memory matters!
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aria Basso-Lipani and Laura Lipani Hines from the Class of ’94 shared classes and so much more during their time at Notre Dame. Maria recalls first meeting Laura: “Laura is great at making people feel comfortable, and that made it easy to form a friendship. I didn’t know we’d be lifelong friends, but I’d hoped we would.” Laura concurs, “I knew instantly that we were going to be friends.” The two now share not only a Chez Nous sisterhood, but a sister-in-law relationship! As Maria recalls, “It was only a few months into our freshman year when [Laura] started telling me that I needed to
meet her brother, who later became my husband! That sealed the deal.” But before those major life changes transpired, young teens Maria and Laura started spending time together on weekends and over the summer. Laura fondly remembers, “We went to each other’s apartments, we went to parties and the movies together, we spent summers going to the beach and hanging out at the neighborhood park. We even got our first jobs together—working as cashiers at a local specialty food store.” Maria marveled at “meeting Laura’s larger group of tight-knit friends of all ages from
her neighborhood in Greenwich Village. They, too, became like family.” Marisbelle Restrepo ’94 was best friends with Laura since kindergarten, and Maris became one of Maria’s best friends, as well, and still is today. Reflects Maria, “If I close my eyes, I can still see us in the hallways of the St. Mark’s Place building, all together laughing, and enjoying such a carefree time in our lives. We still have that same bond, and when the three of us get together, it feels like no time has passed at all.” Years later, the power of friendship endures, through good times and bad. Maria is grateful that “after my dad died during my freshman year of college, Laura’s family folded my mom and me into all of their holiday celebrations.” In 2012, they learned they would be new mothers at the same time. Babies Madeline and Claire were born just three weeks apart.
Laura is especially grateful for how their friendship has helped them through this busy time in their lives: “We have been able to rely on each other and seek out each other’s advice when it comes to navigating life as working mothers. Watching our girls spend time together and share laughs and many fun times has been incredible.” Maria acknowledges that now with four kids between them and both holding busy jobs, getting together is not as easy as before, but they make their friendship a priority. “Laura is the sister I never had, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. Meeting her at ND quite literally changed my life.” And the ND journey together isn’t necessarily over, as Laura looks to the future: “To think that our 11-year-old daughters could one day share a homeroom at ND like their mothers is almost too good to be true!”
Maria Basso-Lipani, Ann Basso, Claire Lipani, Madeline Hines, Rosemary Lipani and Laura Lipani Hines
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Fast Friends and Collaborative Colleagues
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hey met as ninth graders at Notre Dame in September 2006, and now they stop by each other’s homerooms on the regular as teachers at their alma mater! Roisin and Tara, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Ambrose to our current students, reflect back on those early days Chez Nous. Recalls Roisin, “I remember walking down West 13th and feeling completely overwhelmed. It was intimidating coming into Manhattan from the Bronx.
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Orientation assuaged all my anxiety. I remember talking and weaving the Anne’s Values ribbons that still hang in our school today.” For Roisin, meeting Tara was a true highlight of that day and the days to come: “In life, every so often you meet someone who you just ‘click’ with. That was Tara and I…We bonded over our relationships with our families, our relationships with God, the struggles we had to endure, and we always helped each other
We can do this!
Roisin Clarke ’10 and Tara Crimmins Ambrose ’10
The future of Notre Dame School depends on the strength of our alumnae community.
BY THE NUMBERS see the positive.” It seems appropriate that both Roisin and Tara serve as faculty chaperones for the Notre Dame retreat program, in which they help our current students reflect on and strengthen these same relationships with family members, friends, and God. Tara and Roisin headed off to different colleges after graduation, but they picked up right where they left off when they saw each other during school breaks. Notes Roisin of those reunions, “There are so many pictures of us in which Tara and I are off in a corner having another one of our ‘heart to hearts,’ and it is like we are back in the halls of West 13th.” Their friendship has only grown and strengthened over time. As Tara describes it, “We have celebrated countless birthdays, happy occasions, and big events in our lives together. Roisin was one of the first people I called when I got engaged. Our friendship supersedes our working relationship and even high school relationship at this point.” In turn, when Roisin got engaged this summer, Tara was one of the very first to know— such joyful days for these two best friends.
Roisin began as a teacher in the Mathematics Department at Notre Dame in 2015, and Tara joined the Theology Department in 2020. Tara recalls that as students they both particularly loved their history classes, especially those taught by their favorite teacher, Ms. Blaine. “We have reminisced about her often since, and I know both Roisin and I strive to model our own teaching on Ms. Blaine’s style and technique.” As their students can attest, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Ambrose have both clearly found their own voices and strengths as teachers, and they still find strength in each other. Confirms Tara, “Teaching is a difficult profession! But being able to bounce ideas off each other, provide advice, and debrief has made me a better teacher, professional, and person.” Both find it a blessing to work with one of their best friends, and they love modeling that lasting closeness for today’s students. As Roisin puts it, “I get to see them create, build, and cherish these Chez Nous sisters bonds that I can now confidently say last a lifetime.” Tara offers this advice for today’s ND students: “Hold tight to one another— it is a gift!”
2,500 Number of alumnae who are solicited for the Annual Fund every year
200 Number of alumnae who contribute to the Annual Fund every year (8%)
100% Target alumnae giving rate, which would present an important endorsement of ND to funders and has a greater impact than the dollar amount alone. Thank you for considering a new or increased donation 13
THE 66TH ANNUAL CHEZ NOUS BENEFIT
New Fundraising Record Set at the Chez Nous Benefit! What a wonderful afternoon of mingling with dear friends, honoring important members of the Notre Dame community, enjoying a gourmet three-course lunch, and, of course, raising important funds for our school! The 66th Annual Chez Nous Benefit was held at Pier Sixty on March 25th. We are proud to report that thanks to the hard work of our development team and the overwhelming generosity of our attendees, the school raised over $615,000 at this event, a new record. All proceeds will directly benefit our students through our scholarship and financial aid programs.
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Student speakers Meyen Dolley ’23 and Brooklynne Roman ’23 spoke movingly about how important their own tuition support had been to make a Notre Dame education possible for them. Meyen is a student at Middlebury College with a full scholarship from the Posse Foundation, and Brooklynne now attends Columbia University. These students will certainly continue to make their marks! Other highlights of the afternoon were the important awards given to individuals who have been exceptionally strong supporters of the Notre Dame mission. The Honorable Dakota Ramseur ’88 received the Anne de Xainctonge Award, and her classmates attended in force to celebrate with her. Martin Cottingham P ’23 received the Chez Nous Angel Award for his vital help with fundraising efforts for the past several years. Julia and Thomas Roemischer P ’23 and Caroline DamadarDesloire P ’22 & ’24 received this year’s Parent Awards for their exceptional commitment to the school. Notre Dame is thankful to Ms. Wakabayashi and the Glee Club for making the afternoon even more festive. We are also grateful to the parent and alumnae parent volunteers who worked so hard on this event, especially Catherine Pino P ’15 & ’19. Please be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s Chez Nous Benefit, to be held on March 23rd at Pier Sixty!
Please be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s Chez Nous Benefit Saturday, March 23, 2024 Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers Noon – 4 pm 14
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1. Rich Wesolowski, Amy Bell, Flora McKiernan, Steve McKiernan 2. Caroline Damodar-Desloire P’22 & P ’24 and Sr. Virginia O’Brien 3. Martin Cottingham P’23 and Sr. Virginia O’Brien 4. Lucia Snajdr-Trinch, Nella Craft, Stephanie Craft, and Rebecca Jacobsen 5. Parutta Leeyawanich ’88, Jane Chen Firester ’88, Vilma Rita Hall Dorgan ’88 6. Georgina Micheli, Rich Angle & Dina Angle 7. The Class of ’88 and friends of Dakota Ramseur attended in force! 8. Alice Alves Keefe, Erik Eckholdt, Jeanne Noonan Eckholdt, Nikki Keefe 9. Kate Dowling, PJ Redmond, Pat McCarthy 10. Sr. Mary Dolan and Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein
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Enjoy more photos from the event by scanning this QR code:
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N O T R E D A M E ’ S A LU M N A E R E U N I O N
Reunion 2023 Welcomed Chez Nous Sisters Back–especially the Class of 73!
The Class of ’73 turned out in force for their 50th Anniversary!
What a special evening for Notre Dame alumnae on Friday, May 12th! The Dolan Center at 327 West 13th Street was the site for a reunion that brought together graduates from 79th Street, St. Mark’s Place, and from our current home in the West Village. Members of the Class of 1973 were celebrating their 50th Anniversary, and they certainly turned out for the occasion! This special class got together earlier in the day and planned to make a weekend of the reunion. We are so very grateful to them for their generous anniversary donation to the school, which will allow current and future ND students to benefit from the same excellent education they had while also forming the same close bonds. Several of those current students were on hand at the reunion to help welcome their older Chez Nous Sisters and give them tours of our home on West 13th Street. All of our returning alumnae enjoyed complimentary refreshments, time for photos, and most of all the chance to reconnect with their beloved former classmates. Guests learned the latest on the school today from President Virginia O’Brien, S.U.; Principal Karina Vargas; and Director of Development Beth Bixenman. At this event the Heckscher Foundation for Children’s Alumnae Challenge Matching Grant for the 2023–2024 school year was introduced. We remind all alumnae that this is the year to increase your giving to the school, or to make your first gift. New and increased giving will be matched, and all gifts are greatly appreciated!
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Please save the date for next year’s reunion on Friday, May 3rd, 2024!
Opposite Bottom: Mary Anne Dorsey Smith ’58 & Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. Top Row: (Back) Beatriz Aguero ’88, Dakota Ramseur ’88, Lisa Galeano ’88, Jane Chen Firester ’88 (Front ) Vilma Rita Hall Dorgan ’88, Shirley Herdoiza Alban ’88 Beatriz Aguero ’88 & Lisa Galeano ’88
Second Row: Venikqua Wilson ’08 & Mariana Bah ’08 Patricia Murphy Carlin ’60 & Leigh Combe Phillips ’60 Judy Ryan ’83 & Judy Pan ’83
Third Row: Karla Patrone ’13, Juliann Memoli ’13, Ornis Noelia Peguero ’13, Elizabeth Garace ’13, Jamie Gallagher ’13 Melissa Fanelli Soto ’93 & Ewa Kozicz Stankiewicz ’93;
If you would like to view more photos from Reunion 2023, just scan this handy QR code!
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2023 Graduation
Ready for Their Next Steps
A
ll was glorious inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the evening of June 7th. The Class of 2023 and their teachers and families all gathered to celebrate these newest Notre Dame alumnae, who had made it through two years of pandemic-adjusted education at the start of their high school careers and were joyfully back in the classrooms all together for their junior and senior years. Nothing can stop them! They are all headed to fine four-year colleges next year, with 94 percent of the class receiving scholarships for the next part of their educational journey for a total of $25 million dollars. We are so proud of this resilient class!
Lisa Springer ’90, Alias Springer-Elkerson ’23, Cieja Springer ‘00, Melique Jones ’86, Sr. Mary Dolan, Iris Springer ’86
A few quotes from the beautiful ceremony: ND President Sr. Virginia quoted the poem “The Summer’s Day,” by Mary Oliver:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Valedictorian Annie Piscitelli ’23 marveled at the unity and supportive strength of this exceptional class:
“To be able to move through life and create a community of love is a magical thing, and a gift for which I will be forever grateful.”
Sofia Grncarski & Brooke Harding
Nora Browne ’23 offered a Farewell Address that pushed the graduates to embrace the changes ahead:
“We are too comfortable here; we’ve grown as much as we can… We are ready to be uncomfortable… We are ready to grow even more.”
Sanaa Greenidge, Gabriella Gener, Gabrielle Garzotto, Gianna Gangone, Sophia Fleischer 18
Nicole Nwako, Annie Piscitelli
The Class of ‘23 celebrates outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Celeste Oyeku, Nicole Nwako, Sr. Virginia O’Brien, Nina Osborne, Shania Marte
Nora Browne
Please enjoy more pictures from the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2023 by scanning this QR code.
Leonely Pacheco, Annie Piscitelli, Hailey Quiller , Kelly Regino
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SCHOLARSHIP STORIES
The Class of 2023 received academic scholarships at four-year colleges and universities totaling $25 million.
Rachel Cholodenko
Meyen Dolley
Bard College
Middlebury College
The transition from middle school to high school seemed extremely intimidating at first; however, once I set foot in Notre Dame I knew I found the place for me. Going to Notre Dame has helped me grow so much as a person and young woman. I truly found who I was here and will take what I’ve learned and use it throughout my life. During high school, I was fortunate enough to get accepted into the Everest Leadership Academy program, where we learned how to be changemakers in society. I was also part of ND Cares for my whole high school career, as well as Environmental Club and Young Feminist Club. These clubs helped build my character at Notre Dame and contribute to my community. The teachers at ND also helped shape me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful to them. I am
When I first entered Notre Dame, I was unsure of my future. As a shy student from the Bronx, I walked in intimidated by the new environment and the challenge of navigating high school. However, thanks to ND’s amazing teachers, I found my passion for English literature and Neuroscience. I started to become more involved in extracurriculars outside and inside our walls. I became a member of Union of Color, Anne’s Leaders, and HPAC, a nonprofit Shakespearean organization that produces plays by middle schoolers. Inspired by both communities, in and out of the classroom, I found myself dedicated to helping children. Despite my initial shyness, branching out within the Chez Nous community helped push me to develop my leadership potential.
now off on another adventure, going to Bard College with a full scholarship. I can’t wait to see what this next chapter will look like, but I will always have ND in my heart.
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The early mornings and late nights paid off when I was awarded the Posse Scholarship to Middlebury College. Posse offers a full-tuition scholarship to high school seniors that show merit and leadership potential. My four years at Notre Dame were filled with discovery, growth, and passion that follow me today. Notre Dame prepared me to pursue my interests in college and beyond, along with providing me a community that believes I can achieve endless success.
Ariel Elliott
Shania Marte
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Notre Dame
At Notre Dame, I can truly say that I have grown into the best version of myself. Without the support and guidance from the Chez Nous community, I would not be the student or person I am today. I have enjoyed friendships and bonds that I believe will last me a lifetime. I was continuously motivated and challenged by my peers and teachers to excel in the classroom and to be a better student. As an Anne’s Leader, Secretary of National Honor Society, and a retreat leader, I stepped out of my comfort zone and enhanced my leadership skills. The Notre Dame counseling staff provided me with endless opportunities, encouraging me to participate in after school programs and complete internships to begin preparing for my professional interests. I am very proud to say
When I first visited Notre Dame School, I noticed how united and caring the teachers, staff, and students were. I ended up falling in love with what I believe to be one of the best high schools in New York City. The school is committed to developing strong minded, socially aware students who stand up for what they believe in. Because of Notre Dame, I was able to explore my interests and even start a fashion club with a friend of mine. We hosted a fashion show and donated all proceeds and clothes to charity. I was also given the opportunity to volunteer at a shelter in El Paso, Texas and experience firsthand what it’s like working with migrants. Through the Jobs Opportunities Program, promoted at Notre Dame, I interned at MMG law firm the summer of 2022. Clearly, Notre Dame school has also offered me many resources and opportunities to pave a successful career path. But most of all, I felt lucky to be a part of a school community that I consider a second home. I’m thrilled to
that I will be attending Washington University in St. Louis on a near-full scholarship, where I will be studying architecture. I fully believe that Notre Dame has prepared me to be successful in college; and although I will be leaving Notre Dame, I know that I can always call it my home.
be attending the University of Notre Dame with a fullride scholarship for the next chapter of my life.
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SCHOLARSHIP STORIES Leonely Pacheco
Carol Riaz
New York University
Fordham University Lincoln Center
Looking back at the years I have spent at Notre Dame, I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have been offered. One of the most memorable experiences that I will forever cherish was participating in The Encuentro Project during my senior year, because it not only made me more aware of the current crisis at the Southern border but it also made me grateful for all the advantages I have had. I am especially thankful to Ms. Crosson for making my four years of French class fun and memorable and for always assuring me during Academic Center that I would do fine on a test even though I would doubt myself. My time at Notre Dame wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my parents, who always supported and believed in me. As a
Going to an all-girls school has boosted my confidence as a young woman in New York City and has blessed me with meaningful lifelong friendships. One of the first clubs I joined was ND Cares. Giving back to my community with the club’s service missions– like making care packages for the homeless, hosting a school-wide fundraiser for Ukraine, and sponsoring a food drive–has enriched me so much as a person. I will forever be grateful for my Honors French and Latin classes, and these are the languages I will be applying later in life with my aspiration to go into medicine. I was also involved in ND’s Medical Club and the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. I had always wanted to go to a top Jesuit university to keep my faith by my side during my later career. I want to thank every one of my teachers for their kind love, and I know I will be taking a piece of West 13th with me to college.
first-generation student, I am thrilled to say that I will be attending New York University’s Stern School of Business on a full-tuition scholarship. Now as I embark on a new journey, I will undoubtedly miss Notre Dame, but I am confident that my high school years have prepared me to succeed in this new stage of life.
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I am beyond happy to state my commitment to Fordham University at Lincoln Center on a full tuition scholarship.
Brooklynne Roman
Amber Santin
Columbia University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The environment at Notre Dame has shaped me into the student I am today. The courses and extracurricular activities taught me how to lead and find my voice, but the opportunity to go on The Encuentro Project changed me the most. This service trip taught me to see outside of my bubble and to not be afraid to talk about injustices in the world. It also inspired me to appreciate all the academic opportunities living in the U.S. have given me, especially the ability to come to Notre Dame. The Chez Nous community was an integral part of my college process. My counselor answered countless emails about the Common App and encouraged me to apply to schools that I thought would be impossible to be accepted to. All of the teachers and all my Chez Nous sisters helped on my path to college.
When I was younger, I lived in a bubble, protected by my mother and my brother. When my mother suggested Notre Dame, I trusted her. Gradually, I started to see her as a single mother trying her best to support her children. We couldn’t have everything we wanted. I had to learn how to be self-sufficient. Education didn’t come easily to me at first; I had to practice math often, learn how to correctly use grammar, and grasp the value of time management. I also pursued dance and volunteer work and made sacrifices to nurture my passions. I created and stuck to my own schedule and kept my grades high. Now, going into college, I am again stepping out of my bubble to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics. I have put in the time and dedication to improve myself in all aspects of my life. The Women’s
I will be attending Columbia University on a near full scholarship. If I’m ever nervous at college, all I have to do is lean back on the foundation for success that Notre Dame has given me.
Leadership full scholarship to RPI that I received will free me from the financial burden that comes with pursuing a college degree. I hope I can be a role model for people of color and women to pursue a STEM education.
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WHY I GIVE
Josephine Martinez ’06 Bringing Her Best and Bringing out the Best in Others
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As the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—People and Culture—at the National Football League, Notre Dame alumna Josephine Martinez says her work is focused on “creating an environment in which all employees feel they can bring their best selves to work.” It’s an objective closely related to her alma mater’s own work in what we call DEIG (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and the Gospel), in which our school commits to education, policies, and community-building so that every student and every faculty and staff member feels a deep sense of belonging Chez Nous. We know well that it is ongoing work for every organization, and certainly the NFL is fortunate to have Josephine in this leadership role. She has held various positions in the field of human resources throughout her career, including project management, early career development, talent acquisition, and talent management. Notes Josephine, “Very early in my career, I realized that my passions included getting the best out of people and also building systems and programs that help organizations excel.” She has been to eight Super Bowls (!) but still finds her career highlight to be mentoring others. Throughout her time at Notre Dame, Josephine defined herself as a “people person,” someone who made friends easily and broadly. “ND was truly the first place where I experienced the vast diversity of New York City. I remember visiting various ethnic festivals and restaurants and experiencing different parts of the city with my classmates. I’d go to a friend’s home in Chinatown, and their parents would sit me down and teach me how to eat lychee.” She also credits membership in ND’s Women’s Issues Club as being formative and opening pathways for her to express herself without the risk of being judged. It is the same kind of atmosphere she strives to create in the workplace today. Some of Josephine’s fondest memories of her high school days include working on homework after
school in the hallways with classmates, attending the Gilder Lehrman Saturday Academy, grabbing a slice at Village Pizza, and working at the New York Botanical Garden on weekends. A member of the Running Club, then moderated by former ND History Chair Mary Kate Blaine, Josephine remembers jogging from the West Village to TriBeCa, “and you could actually smell the slaughtered cows in the Meatpacking District.” She continues, “Like the West Village itself, ND has changed a bit since I was a student.” The school has more resources now, and Josephine has especially noticed the fuller sports program. “Congratulations to the team that won the Penn Relays!” She would love to see ND start a flag football team, a sport her class played informally at nearby Corporal John A. Seravalli Playground. Josephine keeps in touch with Notre Dame today by faithfully attending the Chez Nous Benefits and the Alumnae Reunions. She also serves as a Class Chair and is in regular contact with many members of her class–”hearing about their lives, catching up on their families, and also reminiscing about the great times at ND.” She encourages her classmates and all Notre Dame alumnae to give as generously as possible to support the school, acknowledging, “the high cost of running a building, which the school doesn’t own.” Josephine also reminds readers of the gap between tuition and the true cost of educating students in independent Catholic schools in New York City. “That is why I give to ND. So many of my friends who attended other all-girls schools have seen them close in the blink of an eye.” Notre Dame isn’t going anywhere, but the school can certainly use increased donations to make sure its programs and students have all the resources they need. This workplace leader in a male-dominated organization reminds us that “the former President of the Philippines is an ND alumna–why stop there? In the future ND will be able to say they also gradated the first female President of the United States.” A fine prediction, indeed! Most of all, Josephine appreciates and wants to support the school’s “welcoming, familylike environment, where young women are allowed to be themselves during their most formative years.”
We are so grateful to Josephine Martinez ’06 for her insights, her generosity, and her enduring commitment to Notre Dame. Her reflection is a touchdown for sure! We hope alumnae readers will join Josephine in supporting Notre Dame, especially during this year of the Heckscher Foundation for Children’s Matching Grant Challenge.
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2023 College Matriculation
One hundred percent of the Class of 2023 matriculated to four-year colleges or universities. Bard College
Indiana University Bloomington
SUNY Binghamton (2)
Baruch College
Lehigh University
SUNY New Paltz
Boston College
Loyola University Chicago
Syracuse University (2)
Boston University
Loyola University New Orleans
Trinity College Dublin
Brandeis University
Marist College
Tufts University (2)
Bucknell University
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
University of California, Los Angeles
McGill University
University of Delaware (2)
Middlebury College
University of Michigan
New York University (3)
University of Notre Dame (3)
Northeastern University (2)
University of Richmond
The Pennsylvania State University (3)
University of San Francisco
Providence College (2)
University of Scranton
Purdue University
University of South Carolina, Columbia
College of Charleston College of Mount Saint Vincent Columbia University Covenant College CUNY Hunter Delaware State University Duke University Elon University (2) Emerson College Fairfield University Fordham University (3) Georgia Institute of Technology
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2) Rollins College Salve Regina University (2) San Diego State University
Goldsmiths University of London
Savannah College of Art and Design
Holy Cross University
St. John’s University (3)
Howard University
St. Joseph’s University
University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia Villanova University Washington University in St. Louis
N O T R E D A M E S C H O O L 2022 – 2023
Annual Report
Anna Marfino ’24, Sanja Radovic ’24, Anna Yaegashi ’24, and Kinsley Washington ’24
2022–2023 Gift Club Members Notre Dame School offers several Gift Club opportunities for those who make a financial gift in support of our students. Your gift provides each of them with access to an education rooted in the tradition of Anne de Xainctonge that will prepare them for lives of leadership and service. We thank those listed for choosing to make a gift toward our Annual Fund and Fund the Scholarship campaigns this fiscal year.
Our Lady of Lourdes Society $100,000 or more
Mother Genevieve Guild $10,000-$24,999
President’s Circle $8,750-$9,999
The Carson Family Charitable Trust Inner-City Scholarship Fund and the Partnership for Inner-City Education Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D
Anonymous Johanna Vespe Aulisa ’01 Brooklyn Benevolent Society Mr. & Mrs. Edward Browne Cardia Family Scholarship The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation Cornelia Connelly Center for Education Colin and Nina D’Abreo Mr. Michael F. Doyle, FAIA Estate of Felice O’Brien Earley Mr. Michael Halloran & Mrs. Catherine Halloran Hunts Point Alliance Jacquot Fagnan Family Giving Fund Danielle and Paul Klyap Ms. Ann Lopez Patrina Foundation Mr. James Phillips & Ms. Kristi Roche Mr. Victor Santillan & Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Sisters of St. Ursula John Spollen & Mary Twomey Spollen Ms. Lizbeth Taylor & Mr. Joel Taylor Alexandra Rynczak Teper ’81 Tiro A Segno Foundation, Inc. Rich and Stacy Wesolowski
Mr. Ray Sozzi
Anne de Xainctonge Angels $50,000-$99,999 Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Mr. Thomas Jacquot & Mrs. Jenna Fagnan The Heckscher Foundation for Children Ms. Elizabeth Roth Sarita Kenedy East Foundation
Anne de Xainctonge Associates $25,000-$49,999 Anonymous American Endowment Foundation Mr. & Mrs. William Bell The Michael Gordon Foundation Harris Mathews Charitable Foundation, Inc. Mary Burke Heyman ’55 Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan The Hyde and Watson Foundation Mrs. Beatrice Riccardo Seven Seas Community Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Smith The Stover Foundation Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65
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Fiona Codd ’25
Kaitlyn Owens ’25
Trustees’ Circle $6,500-$8,749 Patricia Cullen ’73 Mr. David Keane & Mrs. Liz Fleming
The Honor Society $3,000-$6,499 Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bezinski Margaret Brolly-Lefebvre ’91 Kathleen Dunne Carberry ’69 Jon Yaged and Catherine Daly Patricia DiTolla ’62 Mr. Charles Dunne Mr. Eric Eckholdt & Mrs. Jeanne Noonan Eckholdt Ms. Marie-Andree Eiting Mary Jane Drucker Gabbay ’63 Mr. and Dr. Thomas J. Galligan, III Mr. and Mrs. James Gilbert Nancy McNamara Haney ’58 Mr. Don Harding & Mrs. Katharine Harding Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hrazanek Mr. Jacob Chacko & Ms. Vaishali Javeri Mr. & Mrs. Carlo Joseph Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59
Contributors
Ixchel Held-Villaseñor ’25
Mrs. Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq. Mr. John Licitra & Mrs. Catherine Vadasz Licitra ’91 Daniela Lucchetto ’79 Bernadette Castellano McSweeney ’70 Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Maniscalco Mr. Cristobal Mayendia & Mrs. Andrea Mayendia Judy Pan ’83 Mr. Tony Perez Mr. Chris Pia Ms. Gloria Picariello Jack and Sarah Raslowsky Norma Moglia Reidy ’77 Carol Rowbo ’79 Mr. John Semczuk & Mrs. Allis Semczuk Mr. Jeffrey C. Seymour Chrystia Slywotzky ’72 Ms. Marianne Solomon St. Joseph of Yorkville School Ms. Kate Thomes Mr. Martin Whelan Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Zagoreos Mr. Nicholas Zagoreos Mr. Richard S. Zimmerman
Maeve Joerss ’25
Chez Nous Circle $2,000-$2,999
Principal’s Circle $1,000-$1,999
Anonymous Eleanor Fay Abraham ’10 Mr. Anthony Mullen & Mrs. Andrea Alexander Burns & McDonnell Foundation The Church of St. Francis Xavier Columbus Citizens Foundation Mr. John Conroy & Mrs. Katharine Wilson Conroy Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Damodar Ms. Emily Fleischer Mr. Christopher Gallo Elizabeth and Matthew Groo Mr. William Haddad & Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad Mr. Peter Baracskai & Mrs. Theresa Howard Mr. & Mrs. Michael King Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kurtis Mr. & Mrs. Steve McKiernan Jane Milazzo ’68 Mr. Michael Murray & Mrs. Christine Murray Myosotis Charitable Trust Mr. Richard A. Norton Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60 Mrs. Patricia Richlin Ms. Amy Robach Ms. Carol Roche Amalia Garcia Samoylenko-Russian ’56
Anonymous Eileen O’Donohue Adkins ’65 Mrs. Utaukwa Allen Francia Elizabeth Alleyne ’96 Ms. Kathleen Anne Baum Marsha and Leonard Bernstein Ms. Joanne Burns Dawn Tennant Calabia ’58 Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll Patricia Connelly ’61 Elizabeth Drucker Condrige ’64 Claudia & Dylan Coia Ms. Virginia Connor Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cottingham Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft Mr. & Mrs. Jarrad Crighton Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cseh Brian and Lauren De La Torre Mr. Jonathan Denham & Mrs. Barbara Denham Rosemary DeNatale Dineen ’73 Mr. Lee Doble Rita Duffy ’73 Mr. Chris Evans Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Fales Gene and Anne Fennell Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Fernandez Jean Ann Hoban Flynn ’61 Brigid Frey ’77 29
Contributors
1912 Club $500-$999
Alana Liem ’23
Mr. James Greene & Mrs. Jeannie Giordano Mary Ann Paszkiewicz Gordon ’73 Freyja Helmer-Sindemark ’78 Melanie Hernan ’14 Ms. Debra Hernan Sheila Lewis Houde ’54 Mr. Brendon McNamara & Mrs. Karen Jagatic Jaclyn Brilliant & Anthony Jenks Mr. James C. Kennedy Det. Justine Killion ’91 Patricia Sheehan Kirwan ’60 Mr. Thomas Lacorazza Ellin Rosasco Learned ’66 Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lee Parutta Leeyawanich ’88 Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Marfino Elizabeth McNamara Melcher ’76 Mr. Daniel Menchini & Mrs. Lark-Marie Anton Menchini Mr. Richard Mewha Valentina Maria Morales ’95 30
Courtenay Mercer & Barry Moraller Mr. Michael Nolan Mr. Vincent O’Brien Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor Mr. James Quinn & Ms. Agnes McComiskey Quinn ’61 Ms. Kai Rebane Suzanne Drucker Robotham ’68 Mary Ellen Milazzo Roche ’65 Kathleen Koppinger Rowe ’63 Elizabeth Hofmann Salazer ’83 Dr. Frederick Solomon & Dr. Danielle Solomon St. Ignatius Loyola School Sara Stalkus ’66 Mr. Fabien Carruzzo & Ms. Simona Tarchiani Ms. Ann Thornton Mr. Edward Weilage & Mrs. Mary Ellen Brannigan Weilage Eileen Drucker Zwart ’76
Anonymous Mr. Jeffrey Angelo & Ms. Eileen C. Angelo Anne Rose Asch ’78 Mr. Eissa Bateh & Ms. Janice Bateh Mr. Francis Pascual & Mrs. Jeanette Bernardino-Pascual Darlene Billia ’66 Kathleen Bohan ’83 Aimee Chaplain Boothe ’96 Ms. Lisa A. Bretherick Mr. & Mrs. Claudio Calado Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cardillo Mr. and Mrs. Bruce & Catherine Caulfield Ms. Kristin Szostek Chertoff Mr. Vincent Cicileo Ms. Joan Clark Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores Ayanna Tene Cohen ’95 Adrianne Hopper Comerford ’82 Mr. & Mrs. Michale Cooper Ms. Maria E. Costa Mr. Anthony Costantini Mary Susan King Delahunty ’61 Carol Gose DeVine ’66 Virginia Dillon ’76 Winifred Dillon ’73 Mr. William Doble & Ms. Susanne Rendeiro Doble Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Vilma Rita Hall Dorgan ’88 Mr. Mark Easter Mary Panagy Eletheriou ’69 Osbert Fernandez & Emily Fernandez Mr. and Mrs. Wilfredo Fernandez Mr. Roy Parra & Mrs. Sandra Flechas Mr. Thomas Flood Ms. Jeanne Gallagher Mr. Patrick Gately & Ms. Lisa Dunleavy Gately ’91 Meghan Haddad ’18 Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hastings Mr. James Hillman Ms. Anne V. Kane Maria Ann Basso Lipani ’94
Contributors
Mr. Kevin Mallen & Mrs. Marnie Mallen Jane Masterson ’64 Julie & Kevin McKnight Victoria Melignano ’76 Jean and Frank Monaco Jeanine Ramos Monteiro ’84 Mr. Christopher Morris Ms. Maureen Nugent Maria Cristina Rodriguez O’Neill ’68 Ms. Marion Paolucci Mr. Dan Patton & Mrs. Kelly Patton Manuel Pena and Paola Lopez Pena ’88 Lorraine Pucher-Petersen ’73 Mrs. Marjorie Raslowsky Mr. Alessandro Ratto & Mrs. Adrienne Ratto Mr. Jason Madlin & Mrs. Li Reilly-Madlin Mr. & Mrs. Michael Robinson Mr. Todd Rullman Gianna Sciangula ’11 Mr. & Mrs. Dimas Serrano, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sestak Ms. Sally Siconolfi Mr. James Long & Mrs. Beth Smith-Moncrief
Lucie Goldfried ’26
Mr. Steven Smyser & Mrs. Megan Smyser Ms. Phyllis Sollecito Gabrielle Solleder ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Tung Tong Mr. & Mrs. Steven Verveniotis Helen King Madden Vespe ’73 Lucille Fallon Wang ’66 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaino
Crown & Anchor Club $100-$499 Anonymous Mr. Rodolfo Abad & Ms. Virginia Abad Ms. D’arcy Achziger Mr. Steven Adams Rosana Gonzalez Agostini ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Hermann Alarcon Crystal Almanzar ’06 Augie & Kathie Geehern Aloia ’74 Amazon Smile Foundation Erica Zissel Andrinopoulos ’08 Paula Andryuk ’75 Ms. Susan Angelo Francesca Thomasser Belanger ’67 Diana Berrido Bello ’68
Mrs. Marilyn B. Benta Mr. Michael Bettigole & Mrs. Katherine Bettigole Jeremy & Elizabeth Bixenman Ms. Mary Kate Blaine Victoria Bojarski ’20 Ms. Minerva Borrero Dr. Monique Sulle Bowen ’90 Mr. & Mrs. Virgilio Branco Billie Marie Brown ’27 Mara Eileen Slakas Brown ’03 Ann Burke Bunting ’70 Mr. James Sowlakis & Mrs. Tricia Burke Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cardillo Patricia Murphy Carlin ’60 Elena Castellano ’68 Veronica Castellano ’69 Ms. Eleanor Cesaria Mr. David Chance & Ms. Margaret Chance Kathryn Doyle Chapar ’74 Mr. & Mrs. Doran Chlupsa Mr. Vjeko Cimera & Mrs. Lauren Cimera Kathleen Dowd Ciric ’73 Dr. & Mrs. John Clabby Carolina Valdes Clarens ’68 Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Cody Diane Cogen ’69 Robin Collymore ’80 Mr. Gordon Medenica & Ms. Ann Connolly ’71 Kathleen Albano Cuttita ’64 Mr. Kumar Dadlani & Mrs. Sharouna Dadlani Ms. Carol Jeanne Dale Mr. George Danforth Katalina Maritza Davis ’24 Mr. & Mrs. Francesco De Flaviis Jennie Dapolito Delaney ’65 Mr. Konstadinos Stavrou & Mrs. Paraskevi Dilana Mr. Scott Ditfurth Deborah Divorl ’75 Jane Simpson Dolan ’81 Mr. & Mrs. Mark Driscoll Amanda Duchesne ’09 Mr. & Mrs. John F. Duffy Ms. Melissa Dulin
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Contributors
Alice Prajka Dunatov ’70 Mr. Ruben Duran Ms. Susana Epstein Mr. & Mrs. Mark Esparrago Lilian Migliorini Evans ’84 Ms. Simona Milone & Mr. Chris Evans Brenda Ewald ’60 Christina Falzon ’97 Helena Albuquerque Fenyo ’85 Carol Ferrone ’72 Mr. & Mrs. Marlon Figueroa Jane Chen Firester ’88 Mr. Austin Fisher Mr. Joseph Flynn & Dr. Patricia Flynn Ms. Eileen Frawley Laurene Freehill ’73 Mr. Edward Gallagher Mr. & Mrs. John Galperin Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Garcia Laura Person Garcia ’99 Mr. Ali Kokmen & Ms. Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Mr. & Mrs. Michele Giancaspro Sandra Ortiz Giroux ’73 Patricia Roach Gogolak ’60 Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Gordon Ms. Jacqueline Governale Audrey Masi Greene ’52 Elizabeth Morales Gregg ’66 Mr. Robert P. Grote & Mrs. Penny Grote Cara Villano Guerra ’92 Ms. Ellen Gustafson Mr. Thomas Newman & Dr. Anne Hardart Christina Terminelle Harley ’77 Bart Codd and Allison Hemming Victoria Hernandez ’70 Mr. Dennis J. Hickey & Ms. Ann Hickey Patricia Aloma Hicks ’63 Christine Pidhorodeckyj Hillenbrand ’73 Laura Lipani Hines ’94 Mr. Alex Hollander Cecelia Pearl Horrigan ’21 Mr. Christopher Horrigan & Ms. Christa Horrigan Ms. Margaret Hughes Josephine Mary Lawlor Jamieson ’85 Ms. Elizabeth F. Jenks 32
Ms. Miranda Jones Mr. & Mrs. John Joven Suzanne Augresani Katz ’84 Mr. William Keefe & Ms. Alice Alves Keefe ’91 Ms. Samantha Keefe Ms. Karen Loucks Klein Mr. William Koh Joanne Kearon Kosciusko ’72 Moira Gleason Kowal ’77 Crista Marie Lacqua ’13 Dr. Frank Lacqua & Ms. Eva Lacqua Maureen McNamara Laraia ’70 Mr. Jack Lebovic Mr. Eugene Layos & Ms. Glezie Legaspi Christine LeGoff ’82 Ann Arcidiacono Lennon ’74 Mr. Fitzroy Solomon & Mrs. Donna Lilly Ms. Maria Basso Lipani ’94 Jo Ann Joya Lodico ’75 Ms. Lynda Lopez Bethsabe MacKnight ’75 Maria Madison ’73 Susan Madison ’21 Roseanne Mallner ’66 Mr. & Mrs. Leonat Malshyti Ms. Jacqueline Markoff Victoria Hoffmann Marsh ’82 Josephine Martinez ’06 Maude Reilly Martocci Ann Masterson ’72 Ashley Sgarlata Masullo ’06 Brian McElroy & Reni Matsushita Mr. Brian McCabe & Mrs. Mary McCabe Jean Cody McCall ’93 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. McCarthy Deirdre Dundon McCormack ’64 Judith McCormack ’72 Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGoldrick Rosemarie McGrath ’59 Ms. Colin McNamara Mr. James McNamara Kristina Jane McShane ’96 Andrea Miller ’87 Mr. Christopher Moffitt Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mongelluzzo Mrs. Ingrid Montoya
Mr. & Mrs. Guillermo Morales Mr. Kyle Morque & Mrs. Ann Morque Ms. Rita Morris Mr. Socrates Guerrero & Ms. Laurie Motyka Lauren Munari ’17 Ashley M. Nally-Nagel ’15 Molly Louise Nelson ’22 Mr. & Mrs. John Noonan Mr. Joseph Noto & Mrs. Maureen Noto Eileen O’Brien ’73 Diana Priolo O’Brien ’82 Ms. Kelly O’Brien Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. ’70 Mr. John O’Donnell Ms. Catherine M. O’Hara Mr. Kevin O’Keefe & Mrs. Kathy Paprocki-O’Keefe Mr. Robert D. Rose & Ms. Elizabeth Ortecho-Rose The Honorable Ann O’Shea ’66 Mr. John Oden Mr. & Mrs. Juan Ortega Patricia Masterson Palacios ’69 Clare Dillon Palma ’78 Krystal Palmers-Olivares ’06 Ms. Patricia A. Panchak Ms. Rosemary Paparo Ann Parise ’73 Suzanne Fenech Pascocello ’98 Leigh Combes Phillips ’60 Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino Mrs. Olga Economos & Mr. Bob Polatidis Dale Drucker Prifti ’71 Catharine Burchell Quaranta ’82 Mrs. Ewa Radziszewicz The Honorable Dakota Ramseur ’88 Ms. Patricia Redmond Ivanna Reed ’66 Florence Halleran Ricca ’60 Diane Wronski Romano ’73 Mr. Robert F. Rose & Mrs. Mary A. Rose Dr. Eileen Ryan ’75 Dr. Tara Ryan ’77 Mr. Lloyd Cornelius & Mrs. Stacey Ryan-Cornelius Lillian González Sarro ’73
Contributors
Ms. Collin Schmitt Cheryl O’Rourke Schmidt ’65 Alison Turnbull Schoew ’71 Eve Amanda Schoneman ’21 Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman Mr. & Mrs. Peter Schwartz Ms. Rebecca Seidenstein Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Seymour Mr. David Sheehan & Ms. Karen Sheehan Mary Sheils ’60 Mr. Craig Shere Dr. & Mrs. Luis Silva Mary Anne Dorsey Smith ’58 Mr. & Mrs. Gino Soave Moira E. Stuart ’82 Lorraine Prajka Sturmfels ’60 Elaine Feeley Swords ’62 Cynthia Velasquez Tavarez ’88 Mr. Victor Telesino Mr. & Mrs. Francis Thomas Mr. Craig Thomashauer Mr. Richard Love & Mrs. Kyle Thomes Talisa Torres ’06 Louise Pociecha Toth ’61 Mr. Christopher Tsarnas & Mrs. Tina Tsarnas Mr. Edward Tully & The Honorable Jane Tully Myrtle Van Leuvan ’88 Karina Vargas ’02 Ms. Denise Villanueva Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Walls Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Walters Mr. & Mrs. Troy Washington Valerie Greene Weber ’86 Ms. Vicki Tanovan & Mr. Arjen Weehuizen Mary Williams ’73 Milagros Williams ’72 Mr. Nicholas Wimer Constance Wilder Wokoun ’50 Mr. Steve Womer Ann Marie Walsh Woods ’85 Betty Lou Jeffrey Wright ’48 Anne Marie Vagra Zanfardino ’81
Margo Bettigole ’24
Lamplighters $99 or under Anonymous Isabela Adsuar ’18 Samantha Alcala ’07 Nancy Carroll Amigron ’73 Mrs. Ann E. Basso Dr. Jeanne Bresciani ’68 Susann Fitzgerald Bresnahan ’73 Mr. & Mrs. George Buscaglia Ms. Kaitlin Callaghan Ms. Suzan Carlone Mary O’Sullivan Conlon ’72 Ms. Joan Lavella & Mr. Al Corkett Rachel Walden Cranston ’92 Mr. & Mrs. Tony DeCarlo Sr. Michaela Durkin, SSND Jane Ferris ’18 Ms. Cheryl Foster Ms. Erin Gallagher Mr. Aaron Goldberg Ms. Michele Haberland Erin Person Haggerty ’97 Mr. William Hardy Ms. Sonia Kesselmark Ms. Claire Littlefield Dr. Jonathan Lucas, Ph.D. Emily McDonald ’16
Kathleen O’Connell McMahon ’73 Mr. Mark J. Moss Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Ng Dory Ann Matthews O’Brien ’73 Mr. Thomas O’Brien Julia Pesola ’17 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pesola Ms. Melissa Peterson Anna Pinto ’73 Rachel Howland Raslowsky ’21 Rebecca Raslowsky ’18 Anne Marie Pocock Roth ’82 Lena Colon Rumfelt ’01 Josefina Castanedo Sanfeliu ’66 Jaylin Santos ’18 Mr. & Mrs. Richard Schaedle Loralee Johnson Schiff ’63 Dr. Tricia Lipani & Mr. Thomas Sheehan Emma Simel ’18 Ms. Candice Stern and Mr. David Small Mr. Andrew Stewart Anne Marsh Stottler ’63 Dr. Andreas & Holly Stuhr Rose DeMarco Sulinski ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Gerald B. Todd Ms. Kara Torbert Ms. Rita L. Walters Ms. Christine Watson
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Contributors ALUMNAE & CURRENT STUDENTS 1948 Betty Lou JEFFREY Wright 1950 Constance WILDER Wokoun 1952 Audrey MASI Greene 1954 Sheila LEWIS Houde 1955 Mary BURKE Heyman 1956 Amalia GARCIA Samoylenko-Russian Mary Frances SHERIDAN DeLaney 1958 Mary Anne DORSEY Smith Nancy McNAMARA Haney Dawn TENNANT Calabia 1959 Rosemarie McGRATH Antoinette LeQUIRE-Schott
1964 Kathleen ALBANO Cuttita Elizabeth DRUCKER Condrige Deirdre DUNDON McCormack Jane MASTERSON 1965 Jennie DAPOLITO Delaney Mary Ellen MILAZZO Roche Eileen O’DONOHUE Adkins Cheryl O’ROURKE Schmidt Carolyn WAHLIG Szostek 1966 Darlene BILLIA Josefina CASTANEDO Sanfeliu Lucille FALLON Wang Carol GOSE DeVine Roseanne MALLNER Elizabeth MORALES Gregg The Honorable Ann O’SHEA Ivanna REED Ellin ROSASCO Learned Sara STALKUS
1960 Anonymous Leigh COMBES Phillips Arlene DENINGER Prendergast Brenda EWALD Florence HALLERAN Ricca Patricia MURPHY Carlin Lorraine PRAJKA Sturmfels Patricia ROACH Gogolak Patricia SHEEHAN Kirwan Mary SHEILS
1967 Francesca THOMASSER Belanger
1961 Patricia CONNELLY Jean Ann HOBAN Flynn Mary Susan KING Delahunty Agnes McCOMISKEY Quinn Louise POCIECHA Toth
1969 Veronica CASTELLANO Diane COGEN Kathleen DUNNE Carberry Patricia MASTERSON Palacios Mary PANAGY Eletheriou
1962 Patricia DiTOLLA Elaine FEELEY Swords
1970 Anonymous Ann BURKE Bunting Vivian CARDIA Bernadette CASTELLANO McSweeney Victoria HERNANDEZ Maureen McNAMARA Laraia Dr. Virginia O’BRIEN, S.U. Alice PRAJKA Dunatov
1963 Patricia ALOMA Hicks Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay Loralee JOHNSON Schiff Kathleen KOPPINGER Rowe Anne MARSH Stottler
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1968 Anonymous Diana BERRIDO Bello Dr. Jeanne BRESCIANI Elena CASTELLANO Suzanne DRUCKER Robotham Jane MILAZZO Maria Cristina RODRIGUEZ O’Neill Carolina VALDES Clarens
1971 Ann CONNOLLY Dale DRUCKER Prifti Alison TURNBULL Schoew 1972 Carol FERRONE Joanne KEARON Kosciusko Ann MASTERSON Judith McCORMACK Mary O’SULLIVAN Conlon Chrystia SLYWOTZKY Milagros WILLIAMS 1973 Nancy CARROLL Amigron Patricia CULLEN Rosemary DeNATALE Dineen Winifred DILLON Kathleen DOWD Ciric Rita DUFFY Susann FITZGERALD Bresnahan Laurene FREEHILL Lillian GONZALEZ Sarro Helen King MADDEN Vespe Maria MADISON Dory Ann MATTHEWS O’Brien Eileen O’BRIEN Kathleen O’CONNELL McMahon Sandra ORTIZ Giroux Ann PARISE Mary Ann PASZKIEWICZ Gordon Christine PIDHORODECKYJ Hillenbrand Anna PINTO Lorraine PUCHER-Petersen Maude REILLY Martocci Mary WILLIAMS Diane WRONSKI Romano 1974 Ann ARCIDIACONO Lennon Kathryn DOYLE Chapar Kathie GEEHERN Aloia 1975 Paula ANDRYUK Rose DeMARCO Sulinski Deborah DIVORL Rosana GONZALEZ Agostini Jo Ann JOYA Lodico Bethsabe MacKNIGHT Dr. Eileen RYAN Gabrielle SOLLEDER
1976 Virginia DILLON Eileen DRUCKER Zwart Elizabeth McNAMARA Melcher Victoria MELIGNANO 1977 Brigid FREY Moira GLEASON Kowal Norma MOGLIA Reidy Dr. Tara RYAN Christina TERMINELLE Harley
1988 Jane CHEN Firester Vilma Rita HALL Dorgan Parutta LEEYAWANICH Paola LOPEZ Pena The Honorable Dakota RAMSEUR Myrtle VAN LEUVAN Cynthia VELASQUEZ Tavarez 1990 Dr. Monique SULLE Bowen
2006 Crystal ALMANZAR Josephine MARTINEZ Krystal PALMERS-Olivares Ashley SGARLATA Masullo Talisa TORRES 2007 Samantha ALCALA 2008 Erica ZISSEL Andrinopoulos
1978 Anonymous Anne Rose ASCH Clare DILLON Palma Freyja HELMER-Sindemark
1991 Alice ALVES Keefe Margaret BROLLY-Lefebvre Lisa DUNLEAVY Gately Det. Justine KILLION Catherine VADASZ Licitra
1979 Daniela LUCCHETTO Carol ROWBO
1992 Cara VILLANO Guerra Rachel WALDEN Cranston
1980 Robin COLLYMORE
1993 Jean CODY McCall
2014 Melanie HERNAN
1981 Alexandra RYNCZAK Teper Jane SIMPSON Dolan Anne Marie VAGRA Zanfardino
1994 Maria Ann BASSO Lipani Laura LIPANI Hines
2015 Ashley M. NALLY-Nagel
1982 Catharine BURCHELL Quaranta Victoria HOFFMANN Marsh Adrianne HOPPER Comerford Christine LeGOFF Anne Marie POCOCK Roth Diana PRIOLO O’Brien Moira STUART 1983 Kathleen BOHAN Elizabeth HOFMANN Salazer Judy PAN 1984 Suzanne AUGRESANI Katz Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans Jeanine RAMOS Monteiro 1985 Helena ALBUQUERQUE Fenyo Josephine Mary LAWLOR Jamieson Ann Marie WALSH Woods 1986 Valerie GREENE Weber 1987 Anonymous Andrea MILLER
1995 Ayanna Tene COHEN Valentina Maria MORALES Talya PINTO Santillan 1996 Francia Elizabeth ALLEYNE Aimee CHAPLAIN Boothe Kristina Jane McSHANE
2009 Amanda DUCHESNE 2010 Eleanor Fay ABRAHAM 2011 Gianna SCIANGULA 2013 Crista Marie LACQUA
2016 Emily McDONALD 2017 Lauren MUNARI Julia PESOLA
1997 Christina FALZON Erin PERSON Haggerty
2018 Isabela ADSUAR Jane FERRIS Meghan HADDAD Rebecca RASLOWSKY Jaylin SANTOS Emma SIMEL
1998 Suzanne FENECH Pascocello
2020 Victoria BOJARSKI
1999 Laura PERSON Garcia
2021 Cecelia Pearl HORRIGAN Susan MADISON Rachel Howland RASLOWSKY Eve Amanda SCHONEMAN
2001 Lena COLON Rumfelt Susan MADISON Johanna VESPE Aulisa 2002 Karina VARGAS 2003 Mara Eileen SLAKAS Brown
2022 Molly Louise NELSON 2024 Katalina Maritza DAVIS 2027 Billie Marie BROWN
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Special Gifts ALUMNAE SISTERS PROGRAM
President’s Circle Sponsor $15,440 or more Mary Burke Heyman ’55
Anne de Xainctonge Leader $18,000 – $24,999 Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65
79th Street Sponsor $6,000–$12,134 Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Alexandra Rynczak Teper ’81
St. Mark’s Place Sponsor $2,500–$5,999 Bernadette Castellano McSweeney ’70 Norma Moglia Reidy ’77
13th Street Sponsor $1,000–$2,499 Patricia DiTolla ’62 Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59 Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60 Agnes McComiskey Quinn ’61 NOTRE DAME PARTNERS PROGRAM
Presidential Scholar $25,000 or more Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan
79th Street Sponsor $10,000 – $17,999 Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Mr. Michael Halloran & Mrs. Catherine Halloran
St. Mark’s Place Sponsor $5,000 – $9,999 Mr. Tony Perez Mr. Ray Sozzi Mr. Richard S. Zimmerman
13th Street Sponsor $1,000 – $4,999 Anonymous Myosotis Charitable Trust Mr. Richard A. Norton
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Nella Craft ’23
BUILDING FUND Main Entrance Renovation Structural and safety renovations to the front doors as the first phase in creating a fully accessible main entrance.
Nancy Carroll Amigron ’73 Susann Fitzgerald Bresnahan ’73 Kathleen Dowd Ciric ’73 Winifred Dillon ’73 Rosemary DeNatale Dineen ’73 Rita Duffy ’73 Sandra Ortiz Giroux ’73 Mary Ann Paszkiewicz Gordon ’73 Christine Pidhorodeckyj Hillenbrand ’73 The Hyde and Watson Foundation Maria Madison ’73 Maude Reilly Martocci ’73 Kathleen O’Connell McMahon ’73 Eileen O’Brien ’73 Dory Ann Matthews O’Brien ’73 Ann Parise ’73 Anna Pinto ’73 Lorraine Pucher-Petersen ’73 Diane Wronski Romano ’73 Lillian González Sarro ’73 Helen King Madden Vespe ’73 Mary Williams ’73
Jenna Nicole Memorial Scholarship Mr. Steven Adams Ms. Kaitlin Callaghan Ms. Suzan Carlone Ms. Maria E. Costa Mr. Scott Ditfurth Mr. Ruben Duran Mr. Mark Easter Gene & Anne Fennell Mr. Austin Fisher Ms. Cheryl Foster Ms. Erin Gallagher Erin Person Haggerty ’97 Mr. William Hardy Melanie Hernan ’14 Ms. Debra Hernan Mr. Alex Hollander Mr. William Koh Ms. Colin McNamara Mr. Christopher Moffitt Ms. Rita Morris Mr. Dan Patton & Mrs. Kelly Patton Ms. Melissa Peterson Ms. Collin Schmitt Mr. Andrew Stewart Mr. Victor Telesino Ms. Kara Torbert Ms. Christine Watson Mr. Nicholas Wimer
Mary Ellen O’Brien Scholarship Fund Jeremy and Elizabeth Bixenman Gene & Anne Fennell Ms. Claire Littlefield Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. ’70 Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D. Mrs. Patricia Richlin Ms. Phyllis Sollecito
Special Gifts MEMORIAL GIFTS Notre Dame received gifts in memory of the following individuals during the 2022–2023 school year: Christine Paszkiewicz Bridges ’70 Jeanne Burchell ’47 Marie Castellano Helen & Philip Castellano Elissa Rosasco Cella ’62 AF Clarens Joan Cogen Genevieve Connolly Cunningham ’33 Rose Gallagher Dale ’44 Agnes Dillion Edward J. & Marie J. Dolan Mother Marie de Lourdes Marguerite Drucker Hugh Dunne Karen Ann Fealey
Kelly Regino ’23
Francis J. Feeley Jr. Nancy DuBois Feeney ’66 John & Evelyn Gallagher Juanita Gilbert Janet Hagadorn Ellen McNamara Helgesen ’60 Kathleen Connelly Howard ’59 Matthew Killion Max & Marcella Koppinger Donna M. Lacorazza Guy Lipani Elizabeth & Alfred Lumley Susan Malley The McCloskey Sisters Regina McMahon ’70 Mary McNamara Rosemary McNamara Dr. & Mrs. Pasquale S. Milazzo Sr. Eleanora Murphy, S.U.
Mother Myriam Mary Ellen O’Brien Dolores O’Hara Lillian Paszkiewicz Suzan Picariello ’66 Mary & John Prajka Edward F. Ricca, Jr. Louis & Marian Rosasco Sr. Sarah Ryan, P.B.V.M. Barbara Rowbo Seymour ’77 Wolodymyra & Stefan Slywotzky Louis G. Sollecito Maggie Sollecito Warren Stottler Christopher Sturmfels Sr. Mary Walsh, S.U. James F. & Dolores L. Williams
Charmel Apilan ’23
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Special Gifts Chez Nous Angels The following individuals have notified Notre Dame that they have included the school in their estate planning:
Margaret M. Ahern† Jeanne K. Burchell ’47† Thomas P. Coffey† Patricia Cullen ’73 Genevieve Connolly Cunningham ’33† Mary Frances Sheridan Delaney ’56 Suzanne Falcone ’70 Nathalie Frank ’35† Jane Anne Gavaghan, Marygrove ’46† Robert & Penny Grote Michael & Catherine Halloran Sheila Lewis Houde ’54 Patricia Norris Klett ’58† Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59 Barbara Heidi Loftus ’47† John R. Joven & Susan L. Malley† Patrick O’Malley† Mary Pat Hanigan Peterson ’40† Mr. & Mrs. Jack Raslowsky Moira E. Stuart ’82 Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Diana Trebbi ’46 Ligia Trujillo Yousri ’41†
MATCHING GIFTS 2022–2023 AIG American Express Foundation Bright Funds Cboe Global Markets Estee Lauder Companies Good Works Gannett Foundation Goldman Sachs Hearst Foundation IBM JP Morgan Chase Foundation Merck Partnership for Giving Microsoft
Morgan Stanley Mutual of America Foundation One Main Financial Pitney Bowes S & P Global Foundation Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation TD Bank Affinity Program Travelers Transatlantic Reinsurance Company Walt Disney Company Wells Fargo Advisors
FOUNDATIONS 2022–2023 Anonymous Amazon Smile Foundation Anna E. Gallagher Charitable Trust Bright Funds Brooklyn Benevolent Society Burns & McDonnell Foundation The Carson Family Charitable Trust The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation Church of St. Francis Xavier Columbus Citizens Foundation Cornelia Connelly Center for Education The Michael Gordon Foundation
Harris Mathews Charitable Foundation, Inc. The Heckscher Foundation for Children Hunts Point Alliance The Hyde and Watson Foundation ICSF – Be a Student’s Friend Program Patrina Foundation Sarita Kenedy East Foundation Seven Seas Community Foundation Sisters of St. Ursula The Stover Foundation Tiro a Segno Foundation, Inc.
Have you included Notre Dame in your estate plan? If so, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman at (212) 620-5755 x 317 or bixenmane@cheznous.org
Arianna Dominici ’23
Heartfelt thanks to our many generous supporters Results reported on a cash basis.
† deceased 38
The Notre Dame Annual Report is an opportunity to recognize those who have made a significant difference in the lives of our students through their generous contributions of time, talents, and treasure. If your name was omitted or improperly listed, please accept our apologies. If you have detected an error, please notify Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, at bixenmane@cheznous.org so we may correct our records. With love and gratitude to all who are mentioned herein, including alumnae, parents, alumnae parents, grandparents, friends, and current students.
Ways to Give The generosity of the alumnae, parents, alumnae parents, grandparents, Board, and friends of Notre Dame makes a tremendous difference in the lives of each student Chez Nous. Your gift to the Notre Dame Annual Fund and support of the Chez Nous Benefit helps to bridge the gap between tuition and the significantly higher cost of educating each student. Each gift, regardless of size, directly supports our students through tuition assistance, scholarships and access to the programs and opportunities that enhance their experience. Thank you for your generosity!
To Make a Gift By Mail
Planned Giving/Bequests
All donations to the Annual Fund are most welcome. Please mail your check or money order made payable to Notre Dame School.
Chez Nous Angels are a group of visionary donors who have made gifts through bequests and have thus assured the continuation of the mission of Notre Dame. If you have named Notre Dame School as a beneficiary in your estate plan, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman at (212) 620-5575 ex. 317.
Development Office Notre Dame School 327 West 13th Street New York, NY 10014
Bank Partnership To participate in TD Bank, N.A.’s Affinity Program, contact any TD Branch with the program code AF 109.
Giving On-line To make a donation online, visit www.cheznous.org/giving/give-now
United Way Contributions
Matching Gift Many companies match donations made by their employees, which allows you to increase the impact of your gift. Ask your HR department about their matching gift program. Notre Dame’s FEIN Number is 13-1782481.
To Make a Gift of Stock Please call Ms. Elizabeth Bixenman for instructions at 212.620.5575 ext. 317.
Zelle Zelle works by moving money directly from one bank account to another. Send your gift payment using the email ndbursar@cheznous.org, which is tied directly to the school’s operating account through Zelle.
IRA Distribution
Did you know that if you make a United Way contribution through your workplace your gift can be restricted to Notre Dame? The Development Office will gladly complete any necessary forms. Our New York City agency code is 042392.
Important Facts Legal Name Notre Dame School of Manhattan Contact
Elizabeth Bixenman
Telephone
(212) 620-5575 ext. 317
bixenmane@cheznous.org
Tax Status
As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to Notre Dame are deductible for federal income, gift, and estate tax purposes to the fullest extent of the law.
Individuals who have reached the age of 70½ may donate up to $100,000 to charitable organizations directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) without treating the distribution as taxable income. Please contact your IRA administrator for more information.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022–2023 Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. Chairperson Mr. Daniel Dougherty Vice Chairperson Ms. Joanna King Vespe Aulisa ’01 Dr. Monique Sulle Bowen ’90 Ms. Patricia A. Cullen, Esq. ’73 Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U.
Mr. Raymond P. Dolan Ms. Virginia M. Dolan Mr. Michael F. Doyle, FAIA Rev. George Drance, S.J. Rev. Kenneth Gavin, S.J. Mr. Thomas Jacquot Det. Justine Killion ’91 Ms. Ann Lopez
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D. Ms. Sarah Raslowsky Ms. Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Mr. John Spollen Ms. Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh
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Class Notes 1955 Katherine TREACY Batesky writes that she still keeps in touch with Maureen BROPHY, Alma IMBARRATO Varvaro, and Kay Cavanagh. She lives in Libertyville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She moved from NYC in 1955 attended Indiana University and then went to St. Vincent’s Nursing School, graduating in 1959. Katherine would love to hear from the other gals who graduated in 1955. 1957 On June 1, 2023, Maureen WALSH Hossbacher flew from JFK to Seattle to deliver a eulogy at the memorial for her life-long best friend, Marilyn RUSSELL Solomon. Maureen and Marilyn met in 8th grade at Notre Dame, graduated high school as part of the class of 1957, and remained besties till Marilyn left the planet on November 15, 2022 from her home in Norwich, New York. The dear friends are pictured here in 2012 in East Hampton, New York. The memorial, on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, was held at the home of Marilyn’s sister, Francia RUSSELL Stowell, founder and director emeritus, with her husband Kent, of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Francia briefly attended Notre Dame before beginning her dance career with the New York City Ballet. Some years ago Marilyn and Maureen reconnected with another classmate, Carla Borrelli, noted breeder of champion Schnauzer dogs, and visited her at the Syracuse Dog Show. Carla was based in Derby, New York outside Buffalo, and thus began a biannual road trip to get together. Maureen would take the bus from NYC up to Norwich, and Marilyn and she would drive the 220 miles to Derby and Carla’s place for a visit. They did this in the Spring and in the Fall for several years. They also reconnected by internet with Odette Larde ’57, an artist and 40
retired manager of student housing at UC Berkeley. Of the rest of the class of ’57, Maureen has occasionally communicated with Angelita Benavides who lives in the Philippines with her large and handsome family. Marilyn and Maureen also were able to attend a Carnegie Hall concert by the renowned Slovenian pianist Dubravka Thomsic . Writes Maureen, “The remaining classmates have been lost to history; I never see any word of them in alumnae news reports, nor has Google assisted in making contact. If you’re out there Julie, Nellie, Marilyn Pepper, Grace, Brenda, Kumiko, Maria, Margaret... “ Maureen went to school in the ’80s and wound up teaching writing at Hunter College for twenty years. She has published some short fiction and poetry and is working on a novel. She lost her husband of 52 years in 2020, and at this writing is hiding out at the Hamptons house she shares with her sister Kathleen WALSH D’Arcy ’66 while a paint crew refurbishes her Brooklyn Heights apartment.
mobility issues, he has spent several months helping out at their house, while researching new job opportunities. Leave, he must, but they will miss him. Both daughter, April, and son-inlaw, Philip, who live nearby, work from home, making life both simpler and more complicated. Newt and Toni plan to spend another summer at their home in Chautauqua, New York.
1958 Mary Ann DORSEY Smith writes that it was such a pleasure on May 12th to attend the ND reunion, observing that the new front doors were elegant, the building was so well maintained, and she was so happy to learn that she was not last girl standing from the class of 1958. The values of Anne de Xainctonge live on through the centuries. The young ladies whom Mary Ann spoke to are a credit to the school. The spirit of Chez Nous lives on, and she is so grateful for the four years she spent at ND, which prepared her well for the life she has led.
1961 Mary Susan KING Delahunty reports that she and her husband finally got to cruise Alaska and spent some time in the great city of Vancouver on their return, writing, “We’re well and still enjoying traveling–although the airports seem more arduous! Hope everyone is well and safe.”
1959 Toni LEQUIRE-Schott reports that granddaughter, Phoebe Brooke, turned one and her big sister, Lilly, a 7th grader, became a teenager in April. Although her son, Keith, lives in Albuquerque, because of Toni’s husband, Newt’s
Although last summer’s unspeakable attempt on Salman Rushdie’s life will heighten security, as it must, she looks forward to a couple of months of classes, scenic enrichment, and rest. Maybe she’ll crochet a dress for Phoebe. By the time you read this, Toni will know if her ’59 classmates, Marylin GRAMAS and Liz DiTOLLA (both S.U.) will have been able to join them. Toni sends her best to everyone Chez Nous.
1963
Kate KOPPINGER Rowe is coming up on eleven years of retirement and couldn’t be happier. She has done quite a bit of traveling in those years, both
domestic and foreign–Turkey, Rome, Venice, Paris, Provence, Munich, and Alaska. Kate has four granddaughters ranging from 18 to 3 years, and nothing gives her more pleasure, since both her son and daughter live near her on Long Island. Pictured is the whole family with a favorite aunt and uncle. 1969 Alina PINELLI Green sends greetings from La Capital Del Sol! She has been very busy remodeling, replacing fourteen-year-old paint, tearing up carpet, being somewhat hindered by pain and mobility issues in her right arm after shoulder surgery. Alina is recovering after being injected with “Traumeel,” a homeopathic remedy. This year, she is going to celebrate her 73rd birthday (October 5th) in
Paris! She’ll be staying in the Latin Quarter, an art major’s dream (Smith College Class of 1998). Alina invites all to tune in to her podcasts on YouTube: Ali70PlusandFabulous and sends her kindest regards.
1970 Ann BURKE-Bunting, LCSWR writes that this year her husband retired and her granddaughter, Josie, turned 3! Here she is chasing down a ball. Who knows, maybe she will play for the Dragons in the future. Josie is half Swiss and has started taking French lessons. Ann can still recall irregular conjugations, thanks to Mothers Kevin, Eugene, and Genevieve! Ann expresses deep sympathy to Ginny (Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U.) on the loss of her dear sister Mary Ellen: “Mary Ellen was a remarkable person and I was fortunate to have known her.” Ann hopes everyone had a grand summer and sends prayers for peace and worldwide compassion.
1973 Christine HILLENBRAND Pidhorodeckyi sends greetings from Germany. She is enjoying retirement since 2021 and has been living with her husband, Franz, in southern Germany for the last 35 years. They have one daughter, Nadine, who lives and works in Bremerhaven in north Germany. They also have a very unpredictable cat, Stony. Christine writes that a highlight of this year was the ND class reunion, a milestone–50 years–and she was there for it. It was a wonderful turnout. A luncheon and a tour of the former ND location at West 79th Street culminated with the alumnae reunion Chez Nous. It was an unforgettable May 12th, 2023. She had a great twelve-day New York visit with friends and family.
1971 Dale DRUCKER Prifti retired in 2021 after forty years of working as a nurse practitioner in Adolescent Medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. Her daughter is a physician in Boston, and her son is a lawyer in DC. Dale and her husband recently became grandparents to a beautiful baby boy. Every summer, her four sisters, Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay ’63, Elizabeth DRUCKER Condrige ’64, Suzanne DRUCKER Robotham ’68, Eileen DRUCKER Zwart ’76 and she get together for a “sisters’ week” at Betty’s lake house on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos.
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Class Notes After 35 years, six schools, numerous students of many different ages, and too many lesson plans and papers to be corrected, Margaret ROSSOMANDO Kurza closed a classroom for the last time! She writes, “Today, with very mixed emotions, I can say it’s a wrap! I have retired from teaching and will be starting a new life chapter!” Mary “Rocky” WILLIAMS announces the birth of GREAT GRANDCHILD #9 on May 25, 2023. Ezra Gabriel Rivera weighed in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces. : )
1978 Freyja HELMER-Sindemark is proud to announce that her and her husband Magnus Sindemark’s first grandchild, Emma Clary Lee Bard, celebrated her first birthday on March 12, 2023.
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1988 Jane CHEN Firester has had an eventful year. Her mom passed away peacefully in her sleep in late October. In April she traveled to Arizona for a family vacation, visiting various national parks and the Navajo Nation. The Firesters also traveled to Houston for son Aaron’s robotics team. The team won the Long Island regionals and went on to the World’s FIRST Robotics competition. 1979 Jeanne HABLITZ Gully’s son Jeremy married on February 11, 2023 in Osprey, Florida. Marcia ZORRILLA Calvetti celebrated her 35th wedding anniversary with her best friend and husband, Dean. They are traveling to Switzerland and Italy to celebrate! Marcia is also writing a book with her former colleagues about their experience working in a teen clinic. 1987 As of July 1, Tara CUDDIHY McFadden will be the Director of Communication Operations and Board Secretary at St. Joseph’s Prep, the Jesuit high school of Philadelphia. Tara has been at the Prep since 2015, serving as Director of the President’s Office. Tara and her husband, Mark, live near Philadelphia and have three children in college—Sean, Cornell University ’24; Emmy, Saint Joseph’s University ’26; and Matt, St. John’s University ’26. She returns to NYC often to visit her parents in Stuy Town.
1998 Lucie DAVIS is a 6th-grade Special Education Science teacher and has taught for twenty-one years. She has a Masters in Elementary Education and another one in Educational Leadership. She married a wonderful woman named Margaret in 2014, with her best friend and fellow ND alumnae Jennifer CRESPO as her bridesmaid. Another classmate, Christina BERRIOS, was her wedding planner, and quite a few other classmates were in attendance. Lucie and Margaret bought a house on Long Island (Lynbrook) and have two beautiful children, Gregory (2020) and their newest, Isabel (2022).
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
Rachel Cardero ’05 Rachel Cardero ’05 is a Vice President at the NeuroLeadership Institute, a global consultancy that specializes in bringing a science-based approach to corporate leadership coaching and executive education. Rachel loves the work and the organization’s mission to use neuroscience to improve people processes. The Institute partners with 60% of today’s Fortune 500 companies. “Psychology matters,” says Rachel, and that awareness “facilitates creativity in the workplace.” Rachel always knew she wanted to be a scientist, though she spent some time in the world of finance, accounting, and operations before joining the NeuroLeadership Institute. During her years at Notre Dame, she participated in two different science internships, one at the Museum of Natural History and one with the Rockefeller Institute, programs that continue to be available to Notre Dame students today. She began her secondary education at Cornell University and eventually transferred to Columbia University’s program for nontraditional students. During those years, Rachel was working full-time, going to school full-time, and raising a baby. She says it took her a long time to graduate, but she never gave up! Some of the most interesting challenges of her current role include coaching professionals on how to talk and think about their work. She often encounters women executives who find it challenging to overcome their innate humility. Rachel thinks back to her close-knit ND Class of ’05, who remain very connected today and reminisce often about teachers like Ms. Frawley and Ms. Crosson. She and her classmates created a community with feelings of “true camaraderie and support.” Remembering fondly fun activities like “color wars”—”We were assigned pink, and everyone had on at least four pairs of pants, six tops, and multiple hats!”— Rachel says she discovered later that having such close bonds with high school classmates is a unique experience. For her, learning how to support others, being invested in others’ success, and valuing teamwork has transferred directly to her current career. Asked what she would want for the ND students of today, Rachel hopes they will be interested in the world of science—either as researchers or consultants—and that they will not be afraid to “test things out or experiment and not wait for the perfect set of steps. ” Advises Rachel, “The story of who you are as a professional doesn’t just happen—you make it happen.” A career in science is becoming more mainstream, she believes. She has offered to serve as a mentor for ND students interested in pursuing careers in science. Most of all, she hopes Notre Dame will continue to “create a space for young women to feel valued and to know that they are incredible.” Certainly, Rachel’s journey should inspire today’s students to create their own meaningful pathways!
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Melissa RIVERO’s next novel, Flores and Miss Paula, will be published on December 5, 2023 by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins. Her sons, Sebastian and Gabriel, are 10 and 8 years old, respectively. Pictured are Melissa and her family enjoying Mothers Day at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
2013 Athena BOGDANOS Casamento and her husband welcomed their son, Deno, in November 2022.
The group photo is one she took with fellow ND alumnae at her wedding. Shown are: Kayla Lin PABON ’09, Natalie MONTALVAN ’06, Lauren Salina YEUNG ’06, and Carina Lin PABON ’06. 2002 Rocio SANTOS-Carillo had a baby last August. Her name is Alba. Here is the family at the botanical garden last November.
2006 Lauren LEE married Peter Lee in November 2022 in a lovely venue by the lake in Sparta, NJ.
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2011
Stephanie GARACE graduated with her second master’s degree from Hunter College, receiving an M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership. She just completed her seventh year teaching high school global history in the New York City Department of Education. She currently teaches at New Design High School on the Seward Park Campus on the Lower East Side as a special education teacher. Stephanie reports that she’s glad her teaching degree is in SPED because it gave her a better background in how students learn vs. how to teach history, making her lessons feel more wellrounded. She is grateful every day for the influence, love, and care of everyone Chez Nous. “You all are why I am a teacher, and I’m lucky to have found my calling early in life.”
2014 Madison MARINO graduated from Cardozo School of Law in the spring of 2023.
2016 Kathleen VALONIS graduated in May from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon with a Juris Doctor. At the time of writing, she was in the midst of preparing for the bar exam and then set to move back to New York this fall to begin her job search and, hopefully, her career! As part of Kathleen’s studies, she successfully completed and was awarded the
school’s #1 nationally-ranked Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate, which is a concentration in environmental law where she was
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
Aaliyah Duncan ’19 As a Staff Assistant for U.S. Representative for the 7th District of Massachusetts Ayanna Pressley, ND alumna Aaliyah Duncan finds herself fielding plenty of constituent phone calls. Many of those inquiries have to do with housing, immigration, and passport issues, and Aaliyah will jump in to directly assist with those cases. Sometimes solutions can take months or even years, but a big priority of Aaliyah’s work is to understand the pain and frustration of constituents and work with them toward resolution. She can offer resources for legal advice and advocate on behalf of constituents with federal agencies. The work is fast-paced and detail-oriented. Another major responsibility is managing the congressional internship program. Having previously interned for the House Democratic Caucus under House Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Washington, D.C. and for Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey’s office, Aaliyah knows well how to support aspiring and current interns. Outside casework and internship responsibilities, Aaliyah attends district engagements with Congresswoman Pressley to connect with constituents, political leaders, and to help organize the run of events. Aaliyah’s interest in politics began early, and she gravitated toward history and writing classes throughout her education. Aaliyah credits Notre Dame teachers with encouraging her academic interests and is especially thankful to “those who pushed me to excel in areas I struggled in.” Aaliyah also expresses gratitude for the close friendships she made Chez Nous. She remembers well the summer trip to Tuscany, the first time she had traveled internationally without a family member. That trip helped her to forge close bonds with students outside her own class and broadened her outlook. After graduating from Notre Dame, Aaliyah majored in Political Science at Boston University, where she found more wonderful mentors. Aaliyah says the most challenging moments of her work are when she has to share disappointing news with those seeking her help. “The systems we are working within are not perfect, but we work hard to get favorable outcomes for constituents.” By the time people reach out to her, they have usually exhausted other resources. High points are when outreach and advocacy succeed, and she and her colleagues “are able to see the impact our work can have in the district.” Aaliyah plans on a career in law and is currently studying for the LSAT while working full-time. Asked what advice she might give current Notre Dame students looking for a career path as meaningful as hers, Aaliyah recommends knowing “when to push yourself and when you have taken on too many responsibilities.” She notes that sometimes removing something from her plate “allows me to better structure my efforts so that when opportunities arise I become better suited to handle the newfound responsibilities.” She also advises students pursuing internships or first jobs “to be okay with making mistakes but making sure you don’t make the same ones repeatedly.” Echoing the ND value of lifetime learning, Aaliyah’s experiences have taught her that “employers will invest in those who are still learning if they can see you are consistently improving.” Certainly current ND students can learn from Aaliyah’s drive, persistence, and commitment to the greater good!
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Class Notes expected to take a certain amount of credits in environmental law classes, write two academic papers or legal filings pertaining to environmental law, and maintain her GPA at a certain level. Kathleen’s interests also include employment law, personal injury law, and criminal defense. She writes that ND was pivotal in her path to becoming a lawyer and she is so grateful for the guidance, opportunities, and confidence all the ND faculty instilled in her during those formative years. 2017 Rianne PYLE recently represented her neighborhood, the East Village, at the Miss New York USA 2023 competition. She also recently was a production coordinator on a documentary film called Retrograde (2022), which follows a young Afghan general and his corps as they defend their homeland alongside U.S. special operations forces while civilians desperately flee as the Taliban takes over during the final months of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan. The film has now been nominated for 6 News and Documentary Emmys. Her own short thesis film, Freedom Day (2021), has gone onto 16 film festivals and won Best Short Doc at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in 2022.
Erin PENDER, Siobhan PENDER ’18, and Madeline McCARTHY ’19 are shown here at the Dead and Company concert at Citi Field in late June. They had a little ND reunion during the show!
2018 Amanda MSALLEM spent her spring as an intern at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. This experience was a dream come true, as Amanda was able to support the behind-the-scenes work of the museum, learn about the artworks in a new light, provide tours to international students, meet other interns from all over the world, and explore Venice and surrounding Italy! Amanda studied international affairs and art history at The George Washington University (Class of 2022) and has begun her Master of Arts in Art History at Hunter College–CUNY. Amanda now works as a Coordinator at the World Monuments Fund, a global organization devoted to safeguarding cultural heritage sites and building mutual understanding across communities. 2020 Victoria BOJARSKI is shown here on her last day at Aveda Institute of New York, after completing her cosmetology degree!
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2021 Alexandra HELD-VILLASENOR has been selected to be part of the Political and Social Thought major at UVA. The major is an interdisciplinary one in which students create their own area of study and complete a thesis their fourth year, before graduating. Alex applied with three areas of study: the weaponization of propaganda by foreign countries in American politics, the implications of foreign assistance and humanitarian aid in developing areas, and understanding the material conditions of contemporary development.
In Memoriam Brigid McCABE worked as a paid editorial intern with America Media this summer. Her reflection “What St. Irenaeus Can Teach Us about Communication and Reconciliation on His Feast Day” and her review of the Barbie movie were published on their digital platform. 2022 Keilani COLLINS placed 8th in the Irish Dance World Championships in Killarney, Ireland in April 2023. Now a student at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, Keilani has been an Irish dancer since the age of eight and danced competitively all through her high school career. Congratulations, Keilani! Alyssa KEEFE is pleased to share her acceptance into the Student-Led Asset Management (SLAM) Program at Providence College, which is a selective organization that manages a long-term equity fund with over $100K in assets. SLAM is structured like a real Wall Street asset management firm with portfolio managers and analysts. The program gives students real experience in investment management, which provides a competitive advantage when interviewing for internships and full-time employment. SLAM teaches students how to conduct fundamental security analysis, create financial models, and effectively pitch investment ideas. Alyssa is super excited to be a part of this program!
I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. John 11: 25-26
We extend our deepest sympathy to the graduates, Sisters of St. Ursula, families and friends of Chez Nous who have experienced a recent loss. In particular, the individuals listed below will be greatly missed by the Notre Dame School community.
Theresa MANN Ambrose ’52 Lois Belasco Rosario Berniak Rachel McGuckin Caulfield Diana Chen Nina CLARKE Chow ’81 Sheila SWEENY Conlon ’52 Susana De Leon Elsa de Santos ’48 Niall Dunne Rosalee Audrey Masi Greene ’52 Eileen REILLY Gunderman ’44
Fr. James Keenan, S.J. Sr. Maryjohn Lamb, S.U. Claire McCarty Regina McMahon ’70 Mary WENDELKEN Nixon ’42 Maureen HAYES Reinhard ’54 Madeleine LACRAMPE Serravillo ’61 Marilyn RUSSELL Solomon ’57 Elaine Sozzi Lucinda Stark ’76 Diana SCAURI Sweeney ’76 Mildred Williams
Notre Dame mourns the loss and celebrates the life of Judith O’Connell, who passed away on June 4, 2023 at Calvary hospice in the Bronx at the age of 87. Judith was a devoted mother of four, Eileen O’CONNELL Arcuri, (Joseph Arcuri), William O’Connell (Marie Alice O’Connell), Kathleen O’CONNELL Berner (Karen Berner), and Susan O’CONNELL Lynch (Michael Lynch). Kathleen ’84 and Susan ’87 attended Notre Dame. Judy was a nurse, a sister, and a woman focused on her faith, who was also always ready for fun and adventure. Judy was a long standing supporter of the school’s Chez Nous Benefits, from the days of the “Fashion Show” luncheons at Tavern on the Green to the current iteration at Chelsea Piers. Mrs. O’Connell was also a kind nurse to ND students who needed her help. We are so grateful for all that Judith O’Connell contributed to the Notre Dame community and join her family and friends in remembering and honoring her.
Erratum In the 2022 issue of Encore Chez Nous Sheila Sweeny ’52 was incorrectly listed as Sheila Sheenan in the In Memoriam list on p. 59. Our deepest apologies.
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Back Story
Jim Hillman
AMDG. Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam
A
s a student at Xavier High School, AMDG was written across the top of every paper and test I submitted. For the greater glory of God. This phrase is subject to myriad interpretations, and in my life I have refined my definition of AMDG repeatedly. The one constant in my evolving definition was to be a “man for others.” The summer of 2011 brought my thoughts on this matter into sharp focus when I determined I wished to leave the business world wherein I had found success as a tax and finance specialist. A simple telephone call changed the next twelve years of my life. “Jack Raslowsky, please,” I said to the switchboard operator at Xavier. Jack answered. “Jack, this is Jim Hillman. Do you need a math teacher?” The answer was no, but the conversation did not end. Jack told me his friend “Ginny” needed help at her school and gave me her telephone number. I called later the same day and embarked on a remarkable adventure. For the greater glory of God. “Ginny” was none other than Sister Virginia O’Brien S.U. who was now President of ND. Chez Nous was no longer uptown as I remembered; it was now on West 13th Street. Sister Virginia and I had a very pleasant chat, and I agreed to meet her, Sister Mary and board members Joan and Artie, to learn more. I suspected they did not think I would leave the corporate world and its vastly different pay scale, but I was intrigued. So, I said yes. But only after consulting with Ellen and our two daughters, Katie and Jennifer. They reminded me that having five sisters, and only one brother, probably prepared me for working in a school with three hundred and fifty bright young ladies. The adventure had begun. Breathe in, breathe out, move on. For the greater glory of God. I had no knowledge of the ins and outs of education, so I asked lots and lots of questions. Of colleagues at school, particularly of “school mom” Iris Rivera, Principal Jackie Brilliant, and Vice Principal at the time and now Principal Karina Vargas. A steep learning curve, but I think I made it. And, I am sure I drove my new peers crazy at times, so I hope they were able to breathe in, breathe out, move on. 48
September 2011 was a blast. Students, faculty, and everyone else finally in the school at the same time. Confusion, laughter, and noise. Not the sound of angels singing, but a great sound nonetheless. Cacophony! What was that? A teacher blasted into my office. “Are you Jim Hillman?” We are going to have so much fun I was told, and then I listened for the next twenty minutes. I had met Eileen Frawley. This is why I changed careers. For my first few years at ND the students always seemed to be on the mezzanine on the chairs just outside my office. They were the “breakfast club,” serving detention or in sick bay, before we had a school nurse. I enjoyed conversing with them, and many earned their service hours by assisting me, often shredding old files. Students enjoy using a shredder for about the first five minutes. To entice them, I would let them listen to music while performing their service hours. My two nieces, Siobhan Pender ’18 and Erin Pender ’20, earned many hours all the while listening to Jimmy Buffett or The Dead. One day, I told ND Board member Fr. Biagi how much I enjoyed this role as compared to my varied previous careers. He simply replied “it is because you are doing good work and helping our students succeed.” He was right. For the greater glory of God. Sister Peggy, who always seems to be smiling, was a favorite of the students and mine. She was also a smart wheeler-dealer. Working with the students, she was exceptional in raising money and getting it to those in need. Sister Peggy retired; however, Anne Crosson has filled her shoes admirably. Jerry and Craig, I would not have survived my first benefit without your help. There are many, many students, parents, teachers, and co-workers who have made my time at ND very enjoyable and fulfilling. I have named several, but you all have made me a better version of me. I especially wish to thank my colleagues on the East Wing of the mezzanine who have put up with my loud personality and never once told me to “turn it down.” Now it is time for me to embark on yet another journey, full-time grandfather to Oliver and Elinor. Warren Buffet once said, “I can buy anything, but I cannot buy time.” He is right; you cannot buy time. AMDG.
“ September 2011 was a blast. Students, faculty, and everyone else finally in the school at the same time. Confusion, laughter, and noise. Not the sound of angels singing, but a great sound nonetheless. ”
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